Question 16·Easy·Lines, Angles, and Triangles
Two straight lines intersect, forming four angles. One of the acute angles measures . What is the measure of one of the obtuse angles formed by the intersection?
For intersection-of-lines problems, immediately recall two facts: vertical angles are equal, and adjacent angles that form a straight line are supplementary (sum to ). Identify whether the unknown angle is vertical (same measure) or a linear pair (supplementary) with a given angle, then either copy the measure (for vertical) or subtract from (for a linear pair). This quick classification lets you avoid overthinking the diagram and compute the answer in one simple step.
Hints
Think about the picture of two intersecting lines
Imagine or sketch two straight lines crossing like an X. How many acute angles and how many obtuse angles are formed?
Use vertical and linear pairs
Remember: opposite (vertical) angles are equal, and adjacent angles that form a straight line add up to . Which relationship connects the given angle to an obtuse angle?
Set up a simple equation
Let be the measure of an obtuse angle. Write an equation that shows that and are supplementary (their sum is ), then solve for .
Desmos Guide
Use Desmos to compute the supplementary angle
In Desmos, type 180 - 38 and press Enter. The value that Desmos outputs is the measure, in degrees, of one of the obtuse angles formed with the acute angle.
Step-by-step Explanation
Recall angle relationships when two lines intersect
When two straight lines cross, they form four angles:
- Opposite angles (vertical angles) are equal.
- Adjacent angles that form a straight line (a linear pair) are supplementary, meaning they add up to .
So, every acute angle is adjacent to an obtuse angle, and those two must sum to .
Identify which angle you need
You are told that one of the acute angles measures . The question asks for the measure of one of the obtuse angles.
Each obtuse angle is adjacent to this angle, so the acute angle and its neighboring obtuse angle form a straight line and must be supplementary.
Write the supplementary equation
Let be the measure of one obtuse angle.
Because the acute angle and the obtuse angle form a linear pair, their measures add to :
Now solve for by subtracting from :
Do the subtraction carefully.
Compute and state the answer
Calculate the difference:
So, each obtuse angle formed by the intersection measures , which corresponds to choice C.